Slowing Down to Take It All In

Tonight, while the sun was setting and the chill of the evening was falling, I was able to take a moment longer, than my normal rushed second, to reflect on the beauty of our family and how thankful I am for the memories we share.

Dirty, tired and worn from travel, my children played patiently while we waited for the sun to set over yet another breathtaking scene.  With a camera in hand, I took in more than just the photos recorded on my camera card.  I have these minutes forever embedded in my heart and that is my true treasure.

My family, they know me, and they know I like sunsets.  I'm sure, if asked, they will say they've seen more than they would have decided to see on their own, perched atop some random structure or stopped along the highway, for yet another photo I requested to record or moment watching the colors scatter across the clouds.  Sometimes I forget, how much my family really loves me, how patient they can be with me.

My husband, patiently entertaining our youngest while I shoot a dozen photos, my oldest, enticing his brother to play nearby while I crouch down for another few snaps, my 2nd oldest, cold and chilled from the falling sun, waiting without complaining while I take a few more photos in yet a different location, and my 3rd child, dancing back and forth between me and his siblings while I wait for the colors to reflect on the clouds.  I forget how much they love me.  I forget they love me enough to wait with me, share this short moment and wait.

Look! A bird!

Eli loves birds and giggled with Everett as they flew overhead.

Three silly kids that sat and waited for the sunset with me.

Overlook at Grand View Point, Canyonlands National Park

It is in these quiet times that I am able to see this, and tonight, we were able to capture a bit of the experience with my camera plus a little more, all because of my husband, who was behind me, waiting and watching, and noticed a photo opportunity I would have missed.  A few minutes later I set up the camera, scurried back up on the rock and was able to preserve a little bit of the sunset from his perspective.

Looking at our family silhouette photo, I am transported back to that moment, sitting together, peacefully enjoying the sunset and the adventure we had that day.  Thank you family, I love you!

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him.  Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. - Colossians 2:7

Yellow Banks, Yellow Flowers, Mushrooms and a Playground

Today we took some time to enjoy the beautiful fall day and play at our favorite park, Yellow Banks Park.  I needed to grab a few photos of some fall flowers for a commissioned scripture print, and the boys just wanted to get out, explore and play on the playground, so we headed out.  It was a fun afternoon and reminded me why I love the Iowa fall temps so much!

When we got to the park we headed out on a little hike in through the woods.

On our hike, we spotted a few interesting items, especially this puffball mushroom cluster on a dead log.  I had to show the boys what it did.  They were all impressed!

I believe this is a type of puffball mushroom.  Watch what happens!

A cloud of spores coming out when Ethan pushed on the mushroom with the bark.

After the hike, we played at the playground for a bit and Eli enjoyed his favorite part, the swings!

This kid loves the swing!

The other kids spent time acting crazy and sliding back and forth.  I had to get a photo of their silly faces as they giggled and took turns.

  

Ethan thought he was going to crash into me!

 

Everett spotted this impressive wasp nest as we were getting ready to leave.

Creek Walk with Friends at Thomas Mitchell Park

When the temps rise and the days are long, we spend a lot of time outside where it is cool.  Today we joined a few friends for a fun creek walk at a nearby park, Thomas Mitchell Park.  The mosquitoes were minimal and the fun was abundant.  I was also surprised how high the water was today, it was up to our waist in some areas but that made it more of an adventure for the kids.

Pee Wee Little League Rally Day Champions

The Pee Wee Baseball season ended on a positive note for Everett and his team tonight.  They played their hearts out and took home the first place title in the Rally Days Tournament.

Everett hit a few powerful hits tonight, he smashed the ball way out to the grass a few times, landing a double both times!  He also did an excellent job fielding the ball, making a great stop at 2nd base.

It was an exciting game and we are so proud of him and his team.  Go Cubs!!

Line drive to the grass!  Big hit for this little guy!

I missed his big bubble, but I had to get a photo anyway of his mouth packed full of bubble gum.  He's a ball player for sure!

This kid really moves!

Winning smile!

First place style!

Way to go Cubs!!

Backyard Archery

Today was the big neighborhood garage sale and the boys couldn't wait to get home to try out their new purchases.

Elliot's birthday is in a few days, and all he can ask for is a bow and arrow.  I happened to pick one up the other day at Walgreens (a toy bow and arrow with suction cup darts) but while we were browsing the garage sales today, we came across a child bow and arrows perfect for Elliot.  The guy was asking $8, and it was easy enough for Elliot to pull back on his own, so after a little discussion about price, I walked away with the bow and 2 arrows for $6.  Not too bad!  I will be returning the toy bow and arrow tomorrow now that we found a real one for so cheap!

We also found an archery target at our neighbors garage sale for $5, and brought that home to shoot at.  Now the kids can stop using milk jugs and cardboard boxes.

They had so much fun testing out their purchases tonight and I was happy to see them all working together and encouraging each other.

Ready.  Aim.

FIRE!

Eli safely watched from inside the house.

Elliot could pull it back on his own, but Derrick assisted him with his aim.

Sometimes they miss the target and get stuck in the grass.

Cuyamaca Stonewall Peak Trail Hike

Potato chip or Cuyamaca?  This was our discussion today.  

Up until the last 15 minutes, we thought we were going to hike the Potato Chip Rock Hike (also known as Mt. Woodson Trail) because it was closer than the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park area, but after watching a Youtube video of a group that hiked the potato chip trail, I decided it wasn't scenic enough for my taste and we decided to go the extra distance to hike Stonewall Peak.  

On the way, we stopped for breakfast at The Omelette Factory in La Mesa, and enjoyed blueberry pancakes and extra yummy cinnamon roll french toast!  Oh yeah.  Good stuff!

The drive really wasn't bad, and the views and mountains, covered in huge boulders, were nice to look at as we headed east.

Once inside the park, we really didn't know where we were going, so we took a road to the visitor's center and ended up asking for directions at the outdoor school for 6th grade students because the visitor's center was closed.  I guess they host kids a week at a time and only have 6th graders.

After a short drive, we finally made our way to the trail head (and park headquarters) to buy our parking pass and park our vehicle.

We packed the backpack with water, trail mix and a few snacks for Eli, donned some sunblock, and after strapping Eli to my back, headed out on the trail.  We could see the peak from the base, and with the distance under 2 miles to the top, it was going to be a pretty relaxed hike.  

4 miles round trip

Stonewall Peak

The flowers were in bloom and the colors were beautiful against the landscape.

Our final destination

The trail was littered with huge granite boulders and fallen trees.

The first few steps were slightly steep, but after a few switchbacks, it was an enjoyable hike to the top.

Before the hike, I asked the ranger what the deal was with all the burned oak trees.  She said it was from the remains of the 2003 fire that came through the area and wiped out a lot of the park and surrounding valley.  They were very interesting, and with the contrast against the blue sky and green vegetation, they were fun to look at and photograph.  

The trees added an almost whimiscal appearence to the trail.

Some were as black as coal.

Eli was a great hiking buddy!

Along the trail we spotted many critters and even a few snakes.

At the top the trail becomes a scramble over boulders to reach the stone steps.

Looking back, you can see the field of flowers in bloom in the valley below.

Once at the top, we enjoyed a few snacks, rehydrated, enjoyed the cool breeze and view as we rested and I nursed Eli.  Surprisingly, my phone had reception, so I even spoke with Ethan on the phone (he was having a bad earache at home and needed a little comfort and advice).

While we rested, an older woman, named Nancy, whom we briefly met in the parking lot, joined us at the top, and we chatted about her hiking travels and other hikes in the area.  She said she hiked the John Muir Trail in the past (a trail that is on my bucketlist of hikes to hike in my lifetime) and also told of a few other hikes she enjoys in the area.

It was nice to chat with her, more so for me as we have similar interests, and as we parted ways, I told Derrick that she is me in 35 years... he agreed... but I'd be dragging along him, my adult children and their families.  Oh, I can only hope that's the case!

At the top!

Overlooking the road and the lake at the end of the park.

This little guy was expecting us to feed him, or help himself to our snacks.

Heading down.

Another photo of those amazing trees.

Peek-a-boo Mr. Lizard

My favorite tree of the hike.  Very impressive!

The colors and they way it grew around the boulder was amazing!

One last snap of the peak before heading back to the car.

Overall, it took us about 2 hours with our relaxed pace and nice break at the top.  It was a fairly easy hike and I'm glad we decided to hike here rather than potato chip rock.  The flowers and trees alone made it such an enjoyable journey.